Power Outage + Alarm System?

[XR80David]

Hi,

this is probably a dumb question, but if my power goes out, does my home alarm system go out with it? Or does it have some sort of battery backup?

Thanks!

 

[BioHazard]

Depends totally on the alarm. You're going to have to elaborate a lot more than that.

 

[antolod]

It should have a backup battery, but the only way to know for sure would be to unplug the transformer and see if it still works. The system I took out of my house had a tiny 3/4 amp-hour battery in the key pad panel and another in a box in the basement. The commercial systems I install have a 7 amp-hour which will run the alarm for close to 24 hours before the system is dead.

 

[dieseldodge01]

As antolod said it should have a battery backup. I wouldn't recommend unplugging the system, because the ones I worked on and installed sent a signal to the call center and then you might get a call asking if everything is all right. If you have a subscription with a security company they will monitor your battery also, and they will tell you when it goes bad.

 

[Stuart in MN]

It should have a battery. If you can open the front door of the alarm control panel you'll probably see it there inside.

 

[slip knot]

Mine has a small sealed battery in the control panel. It's supposed to be monitored along with everything else. I unplugged mine a while back for painting and it showed batt powered on the key pad. Try unplugging it and see what happens. Worst case is your alarm company calls. My company(ADT) encourages me to test my system regularly for proper operation.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Mine has a battery in the main control unit and another on the cell phone to call the monitering service. Tweekers are getting somewhat smarter and are cutting the phone lines before cutting the power off now. With the battery backup and a cell phone, they will get caught because they are still somewhat stupid and think they stopped the call to the alarm company.

 

[Mr. Jean]

Yes, it should have a battery back up. Otherwise someone could just shut off your power outside at the panel and come on in, without a sound from your alarm.

Look around for a wall panel inside the house. Entry way closet, is where many are put in.

 

[battmain]

Yes, usually there is a battery. You want to see a ticked off homeowner? Try calling the alarm company to tell them battery is dead and they just need to ship one to you. It's only two little push on terminals. Three times now since I've had the system, I've replaced the battery. They last about three years before needing replacement. Talk about jumping through hoops just to get a new battery. Geez!

The system itself will run on the battery for about three days before it starts doing funky things.